A & P - digestive system Flashcards
what are the functions of the digestive system?
to provide energy
to build new tissue
what is the structure of the digestive system?
a long muscular tube from mouth to anus with modifications in various regions
what are the accessory organs of the digestive system?
salivary glands, liver and pancreas
what is the central upper abdominal region called?
epigastrium
what is the central lower abdominal region called?
hypogastrium or suprapubic
what is the peritoneum?
a double layer of serous membrane which covers the abdominal and pelvic cavities
what is the position of the parietal peritoneum?
it lines the body wall
what is the position of visceral peritoneum?
it covers the organs
What is the position of the peritoneal cavity?
it lies between the parietal and visceral peritoneum, it contains only serous fluid
The intraperitoneal organs are fully covered by the peritoneum, which organs are these?
stomach
part of small intestines
The retropertineal organs are partially covered by peritoneum, what are the organs and which position are they in?
pancreas and part of duodenum
pushed against posterior abdominal wall
What is the mesentery?
double layer of visceral peritoneum which attaches organs to body
What is the Omentum?
double layer of visceral peritoneum which attaches one organ to another
Name the 4 basic layers of the gastrointestinal tract
mucosa
submucosa
muscularis externa
serosa or adventia
where is the mucosa found in the GI tract?
forms lining of tract
name the 3 layers of the mucosa
epithelium
lamina propria
muscularis mucosa
what is the function of the epithelium of the mucosa in the GI tract?
protective
secretive
absorptive
what is the structure of the lamina propria of the mucosa in the GI tract?
connective tissue containing vessels, glands and lymphoid tissue
what is the structure of the muscularis mucosa of the mucosa of the GI tract?
smooth muscle
inner-circular
outer-longitudinal
what is the structure of the submucosa?
dense irregular connective tissue
what is the function of the submucosa?
supports mucosa
provides vascular, lymphatic and nerve (submucosal plexus) supply
what is the structure of the muscularis externa?
smooth muscle
inner- circular
outer - longitudinal
what is the function of the muscularis externa?
GI movements (peristalsis and segmentation)
what lies between the circular and longitudinal layers of smooth muscle in the muscularis externa?
myenteric plexus
what is the serous?
serous membrane that covers structures in the peritoneal cavity
name the 3 branches of the abdominal aorta that supply the GI tract
celiac trunk
superior mesenteric artery
inferior mesenteric artery
which system allows the blood from the stomach, pancreas, small and large intestine drain into the liver/
hepatic portal system
what is the function of the liver?
processes nutrients and secretes bile
what is the action of the autonomic nervous system on the GI tract?
causes long reflexes- large scale peristalsis etc.
which nerves control autonomic nervous system responses to the GI tract?
Vagus and Glossopharyngeal
where are most postganglionic nerves located?
enteric nervous system (submucosal and myenteric plexuses)
what action does the enteric nervous system have on the GI tract?
short reflexes - local peristalsis and glandular secretions
which glands control digestive function?
endocrine glands
what are the functional processes of the digestive system?
motility digestion secretion absorption protection
name 3 types of mechanical digestion
chewing
churning
segmentation
name 4 types of propulsion
swallowing
peristalsis
mass movement
elimination of waste
why does food need to be broken down by mechanical digestion?
move easily along tract
increase surface area to aid chemical digestion
what is the function of the temporomandibular joint and muscles?
aids the action of the teeth
what is the function of the salivery glands?
to produce saliva which begins chemical digestion and moistens bolus
what is segmentation?
cycles of contraction which fragment bolus and mix with digestive juices
what is peristalsis?
waves of muscle contraction which move bolus along
what are mass movements?
powerful peristalsis contractions
what stimulates the defecation reflex?
faeces in rectum
which sphincter needs conscious effort to relax?
external sphincter
what is chemical digestion?
breakdown of food into small fragments allowing absorption
what are carbohydrates broken down into during chemical digestion?
simple sugars
what are proteins broken down into during chemical digestion?
amino acids
what are lipids broken down into during chemical digestion?
fatty acids and monoglycerides
where are carbohydrates broken down?
mouth
small intestine
where are proteins broken down?
stomach
small intestine
where are lipids broken down?
mouth
small intestine
name some secretions secreted into the GI tract
water, enzymes, hormones
name 2 exocrine glands of the GI tract
salivary glands
pancreas
what do endocrine glands secrete?
hormones
what is absorption in the GI tract?
passage of substances across digestive epithelium to blood or lymph
Where does absorption occur in the GI tract?
stomach
small intestine
large intestine
what does the GI tract protect itself against?
acids
mechanical trauma
bacteria
what is the action of salivary amylase?
starts digestion of carbohydrates in the mouth
what is the action of lingual lipase?
starts digestion of lipids in the mouth
how much saliva is produced per day?
1 - 1.5 litres
the salivary glands produce serous fluid, what is its function?
wash oral cavity
what produces mucin?
the salivary glands, for lubrication
why do the salivary glands produce lysozyme?
it has antibacterial properties
how long is the oesophagus?
25cm long
where do the oesophagus go from and to?
pharynx to stomach
what is the oesophagus lined with?
stratified squamous epithelium
describe the different muscle types of the oesophagus
upper third - skeletal
middle third - mixed
lower third - smooth
Which nervous system innervates the oesophagus?
autonomic nervous system
which region of the abdomen is the stomach located?
epigastrium
what are the functions of the stomach?
storage mechanical/chemical digestion protection (kills microorganisms) absorption (alcohol/ aspirin) production of intrinsic factors
Describe the structure of the muscles of the stomach - inner, middle and outer
inner - oblique
middle - circular
outer - longitudinal
what is the function of rugae in the stomach?
increase surface area
what is the function of the mucous cell and neck mucous cell in the gastric pit?
secrete mucus
what is the function of the parietal cell in the gastric gland?
secrete hydrochloric acid and intrinsic factors
what do the chief cells in the gastric gland secrete?
pepsinogen
what do the enteroendocrine cells in the gastric gland secrete?
gastrin
how much gastric juice is produced daily?
1.5 - 2 litres
what activates the secretion of gastric juice?
low pH
gastrin
histamine
ACh
what is the function of hydrochloric acid in the stomach?
kill microbes
breakdown connective tissue (meat) and cell walls (plant)
activates pepsinogen to covert to pepsin
what is the function of pepsin?
starts protein digestion
what does gastrin stimulate?
secretion of pepsinogen and HCL
contraction of gastric wall
what is the function of intrinsic factors in gastric juice?
aids vitamin B12 absorption
what initiates the cephalic phase of gastric activity?
sight, smell, taste of food
what initiates the gastric phase of gastric activity?
food in stomach
what stimulates gastric juice production in the gastric phase?
gastrin
what initiates the intestinal phase of gastric activity?
partially digested food in duodenum - slows down gastric juice production and motility